The host breaks down the Garmin Edge 820 after switching from the Edge 1000, exploring whether this mid-range device delivers the best of both worlds. You'll discover how the 820 handles course navigation, battery life trade-offs, and whether it's worth the upgrade from older Garmin models.
Key Takeaways
- The 820's course-following feature is significantly improved — courses are now visually distinct from regular roads, making navigation much easier than on the Edge 1000
- Battery life falls short of Garmin's 15-hour claim, delivering closer to 5 hours in real use when actively following courses — consider a portable USB charger as a workaround
- Third-party IQ apps can bog down the device when Garmin firmware updates aren't matched by app developers; delete non-essential apps to maintain performance
- Battery Saver Mode is a genuinely useful feature that wasn't available on the Edge 1000, keeping data recording while turning off the screen to extend ride time
- For navigation capabilities, Garmin maintains a clear edge over competitors like Wahoo — the 820 offers premium features at a lower price than the 1000
- Group Track and Recovery Time features are underwhelming; WhatsApp live location and Training Peaks data give you more accurate insights
Expert Quotes
"The a20 is essentially the love child of the 520 and the 1000 — it's a big downgrade in terms of its capabilities but it's not, it actually impacts a lot of punch for a much lower price tag"
"Gehrman's leading the edge on navigation and it's just so easy, it's so user-friendly"
"Battery life is a problem on this — the Garmin website saying 15 hours battery life when following a course, I found that's closer to 5 hours battery life"